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Accomplished Online Public School Graduates Switch Their Tassels, Progress to Renowned Universities

California Connections Academy graduates took a nontraditional approach to education and that ability to find unique solutions will follow them into their futures

San Juan Capistrano, California (PRWEB)June 29, 2016

California Connections Academy, a network of four tuition-free online public schools serving students in grades K-12 in 25 counties, graduated 379 high school seniors at commencement ceremonies held at the San Joaquin Delta Community College and the University of California, Irvine on Monday, June 24 and 27, respectively. Students, friends and families gathered to celebrate the graduating seniors’ academic achievements.

“California Connections Academy graduates took a nontraditional approach to education and that ability to find unique solutions will follow them into their futures,” said Dr. Richard Savage, executive director of California Connections Academy. “These students are equipped with an excellent academic foundation, as well as the capacity to be unabashedly unconventional. I look forward to seeing what they will accomplish as they bring that mindset into higher education and the workforce.”

The school’s 2016 graduating seniors include valedictorian Ethan Zubak of Corona, a product of the LA Galaxy Academy and newly signed professional soccer player with the LA Galaxy II who will attend UCLA in the fall; valedictorian Veronica Molidor of Tehachapi, who was accepted at New York University, Marymount University and Fordham University, and plans to defer her admission to Marymount University to pursue her music passions; graduate Sonari Chidi of Palos Verdes, an aspiring actor and philanthropist who served as vice president of the National Honor Society and will attend the University of Pennsylvania out of his 16 university acceptances; graduate Emily Robinson of Los Angeles who was accepted to both Columbia and Harvard and will be pursuing her burgeoning acting, writing and directing career for the next year before attending Columbia next school year; graduate Jermain Harris of Antioch, an actor and devoted philanthropist who will attend Columbia College Hollywood in the fall; and graduate Hayden Evans who will continue pursuing competitive rodeo and bass fishing while attending school at a community college. Other students from the 2016 graduating class will go on to pursue higher education at renowned universities including United States Naval Academy; University of California, Berkeley; University of Southern California; and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; among others. Students from California Connections Academy earned a total of $3,561,698.60 in scholarships.

The commencement ceremonies are an example of the many social events and field trips that California Connections Academy hosts throughout the year to provide in-person socialization opportunities for students. California Connections Academy students may also join clubs and activities that align with their interests, including mathematics club, college planning club, gaming and technology club and National Honor Society, among others.

College-bound students can tailor their schedules to accommodate exam preparation and applications, as well as take advantage of the school’s diverse course catalogue, including expanded AP classes and career technical education offerings that help prepare them for a 21st century workforce. From music and art courses to computer coding courses through Java Programming, students are not only fostering creative expression, they are mastering digital literacy.

In addition to AP and career technical courses, California Connections Academy offers core classes in math, science, language arts and social studies; extensive electives including many foreign languages and digital technology.